#NEF Why innovation is needed to win: panel discussion at the European Research and Innovation Days

    European Research and Innovation Days is an event that this year brought together researchers, start-up representatives and all those interested in innovation and implementing it in the economy today to discuss the importance of technology.

      Entrepreneurs and innovators were able to present interesting, innovative ideas in the format of short presentations.

First panel discussion

      The topic of the first panel discussion was "Why do we need innovations to win?". The moderator of the discussion, Yevhen Shevchenko, suggested considering the following aspects: the state's interest in the development of production, the contribution of innovations to victory, and the feedback from the manufacturer to the recipient of military equipment (UAVs).

      Innovations help us speed up victory. Drones, the eyes of the military, are one of the examples of innovations that have been improved since the beginning of the war. The speakers said that there used to be fewer drone manufacturers, but due to the large number of requests for UAVs, it was decided to increase domestic production in Ukraine.

      "If we compare with 2022, there were about 7 drone manufacturers, now there are over 60," says Antonina Romaniuk, Communications Manager of the “Army of Drones” project. Currently, the situation has changed, there are more manufacturers, and the state contributes to the development of this direction, allocates funds and supports new innovative ideas.

      "This year and next year, the budget includes $40 billion for the purchase of UAVs," adds A.Romaniuk. Antonina also says that there are plans to develop electronic warfare, which requires a lot of work, ideas and people who will make even more products to win.

      The speakers emphasized the importance of feedback for improving the quality of UAVs. It is important for innovators to understand the needs of the military in order to quickly improve Ukrainian drones: correct mistakes, make them more convenient to use and more durable.

      More information is available on the website.

      Implement the "New Economy of Ivano-Frankivsk" project together with the Executive Committee of the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council, the Promprylad.Renovation, innovation center, the METALAB urban laboratory, the PPV Knowledge Networks economic development agency, and the Warm City platform.